The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In an episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo engages with John Duncan, Connected Places Lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, live from Connected Britain 2024. This episode offers an inside look at how digital connectivity and innovation are reshaping communities across Greater Manchester. Through strategic public-private partnerships and a community-first approach, Duncan highlights how his team is bridging the digital divide, fostering digital inclusion, and implementing IoT technologies to create safer and smarter environments.
John Duncan’s background is a unique blend of public sector service and private industry experience. After over a decade in the public sector, he joined Virgin Media, where he spent seven years helping to extend connectivity to underrepresented communities. Today, John has returned to the public sector, working as the Connected Places Lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This dual experience has given him a comprehensive perspective on the benefits and challenges of both sectors and the role each plays in delivering connectivity as a critical utility.
“It’s not just about delivering internet access,” John explains, “it’s about creating opportunities and providing the resources that people need to thrive.” With this ethos, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is working to ensure connectivity reaches every resident, business, and institution in the region. John shares that connectivity is more than infrastructure—it’s a tool for equity, enabling community growth, economic development, and digital literacy.
Under the leadership of Mayor Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority governs a region of 2.9 million people across 10 local councils. The Authority collaborates with essential services like Transport for Greater Manchester and the Fire and Rescue Service, creating a well-integrated, cross-functional approach to public service.
Duncan emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving regional connectivity goals, especially in a city with Greater Manchester’s diversity and scale. Public-private partnerships have become pivotal to fostering long-term, sustainable solutions for digital inclusion. In particular, the Authority has leveraged relationships with major players like Cisco and Virgin Media to expand connectivity, including the development of the GM1 Network—a wide-area network covering over 1,500 public sector buildings and the largest of its kind in Europe.
“Working with industry is essential,” John notes, “and we’re proud that Greater Manchester is known for its collaborative spirit.” This collaborative approach extends to initiatives like “Connected North,” a regional event to mobilize northern England communities and businesses around connectivity goals.
A central theme in the episode is the issue of digital inclusion, which remains a priority for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. John shares insights into the multifaceted approach his team takes to address this challenge, focusing on accessibility, affordability, and digital literacy.
One notable initiative is the “Get Online Greater Manchester” program. This digital inclusion project brings affordable connectivity and tech education to underserved residents. Through a network of over 200 digital inclusion hubs, the program provides hands-on guidance, internet access, and digital literacy training, helping residents gain confidence with technology. John mentions that the Authority has distributed more than 40,000 data SIMs through partnerships with telecommunication providers and the Greater Manchester Data Bank, ensuring low-income individuals can stay connected.
John emphasizes that digital inclusion is about more than devices and connectivity; it’s about education and empowerment. “Technology has to be inclusive,” he says. “If people don’t know how to use it, they can’t benefit from it. We’re working hard to bridge that skills gap.”
Social housing is another critical area where Greater Manchester is making significant strides in digital innovation. The region has around 260,000 social housing units, representing 20% of the local population. John explains how the Authority collaborates with social housing providers to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, aiming to create safer and healthier living conditions.
IoT applications in social housing include sensors for monitoring mold, dampness, and smoke levels, ensuring that residents have a safe living environment. These sensors also support vulnerable residents by monitoring movement and alerting care teams if a fall or other emergency occurs. This data-driven approach aligns with the Mayor’s “Housing First” initiative, which aims to provide residents with high-quality, affordable housing that meets modern safety and environmental standards.
John shares that while the technology is transformative, it must be implemented with residents’ consent and understanding. “It’s not something we do to people; it’s something we do with people,” he says, emphasizing the importance of trust and engagement. The Authority works closely with community teams to communicate the benefits of these smart technologies, highlighting how they can lead to lower energy bills and improved home health.
Greater Manchester’s 5G Innovation Region initiative is another example of how the Authority is integrating new technologies to benefit the community. Through partnerships with industry leaders, they’re deploying IoT devices to support various applications, such as energy-efficient air-source heat pumps in social housing. This initiative reduces energy bills for residents, aligns with the Authority’s climate goals, and showcases how technology can serve both environmental and social objectives.
John describes how the Authority is actively involved in finding innovative use cases for 5G and IoT technologies, such as supporting digital inclusion in rural areas where traditional broadband isn’t feasible. The Authority has partnered with the private sector to explore applications that can directly impact residents’ lives, focusing on projects that can deliver high value while remaining affordable.
“5G isn’t just about faster speeds; it’s about connecting people and services in ways we couldn’t before,” John explains. “It’s helping us bring digital services to the people who need them most, especially in remote or underserved communities.”
John touches on the fact that digital inclusion is not a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment. Greater Manchester faces a variety of challenges related to affordability, accessibility, and skills, and while progress is being made, John believes there will always be new needs to address. These include bridging the skills gap, keeping technology affordable, and ensuring accessibility for all residents, including those with disabilities.
As new generations grow up in a digital-first world, John notes that it’s easy to assume digital inclusion will naturally follow. However, he emphasizes that the technology landscape is always evolving, and keeping people connected requires constant innovation and adaptation. “Digital inclusion will never be ‘finished,’” he says. “We have to keep evolving to meet people where they are, especially as technology advances.”
Throughout the episode, John stresses the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in creating meaningful, sustainable change. Connected Britain events are valuable opportunities to foster these connections and build shared goals around digital inclusion, smart infrastructure, and innovation.
John sees Greater Manchester as a leader in this area, highlighting the Authority’s strong partnerships with tech and telecom companies, community organizations, and other public sector entities. These partnerships help Greater Manchester respond proactively to changing connectivity needs and set an example for how other regions can adopt a collaborative approach.
As the episode wraps up, Pete and John discuss the future of Greater Manchester’s connectivity landscape. John expresses optimism about achieving 100% broadband coverage in the UK and hopes to see continued advancements in 5G and IoT deployment. “In a year’s time, I hope we’ll have even more stories of how connectivity has improved lives,” he says.
Greater Manchester’s journey serves as a model for other regions, with John highlighting the Authority’s commitment to driving change not just for today but for the future. The episode underscores how connectivity, smart technology, and a commitment to digital inclusion can create lasting impact and how Greater Manchester is leading the way.
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